Theories of Marx - Human Action and Social Structure, Alienation and False Consciousness
In this seminar, I seek to analyse, discuss and evaluate the theories of Marx. Firstly, I will analyse the relationship between human action and social structure. Having completed the analysis, I will move on further to discuss and exemplify his theory of alienation. Lastly I will evaluate his theory of false consciousness.
Question 1
Human action and social structure are extremely prevalent in the works of Marx. In terms of the workers and capitalist classes, he postulates that they are not free but rather actors of the capitalist system. The workers are forced into labour to make a living, the force of circumstance (Elster, 1986:29) while the capitalist is forced to keep themselves in business. Elster (1986:29) argues that this is not entirely true as everyone is free to make a choice, the worker has a choice to work or to starve, whereas the capitalist has a choice to make a profit or find a way to keep in business. Therefore the social structure defines an individual's circumstances, if the individual is able to survive in the wealthy areas of the capitalist, they are defined and severely encouraged to live as capitalists or 'bourgeoisie' as was the definition by Marx, whereas if they are unable to survive in the area of the capitalist, they are confined to live as a worker or 'proletariat' as was the definition by Marx.
An example of Human action and social structure is found in the movie “Daens” (Stijn Coninx, 1992), where we find that the working class are depicted as poor people acting out the force of circumstance that Marx describes. They were pulled away from farms working as peasants and made to work for measly salaries at the factories. They are as easily fired as they are hired and are struggling to make a living for their families. In contrast to this, the factory owners are the ones in control of the situation and are fighting among one another as to who can make the best profit out of their factories. Most of their profit making is
Question 1
Human action and social structure are extremely prevalent in the works of Marx. In terms of the workers and capitalist classes, he postulates that they are not free but rather actors of the capitalist system. The workers are forced into labour to make a living, the force of circumstance (Elster, 1986:29) while the capitalist is forced to keep themselves in business. Elster (1986:29) argues that this is not entirely true as everyone is free to make a choice, the worker has a choice to work or to starve, whereas the capitalist has a choice to make a profit or find a way to keep in business. Therefore the social structure defines an individual's circumstances, if the individual is able to survive in the wealthy areas of the capitalist, they are defined and severely encouraged to live as capitalists or 'bourgeoisie' as was the definition by Marx, whereas if they are unable to survive in the area of the capitalist, they are confined to live as a worker or 'proletariat' as was the definition by Marx.
An example of Human action and social structure is found in the movie “Daens” (Stijn Coninx, 1992), where we find that the working class are depicted as poor people acting out the force of circumstance that Marx describes. They were pulled away from farms working as peasants and made to work for measly salaries at the factories. They are as easily fired as they are hired and are struggling to make a living for their families. In contrast to this, the factory owners are the ones in control of the situation and are fighting among one another as to who can make the best profit out of their factories. Most of their profit making is
References: Apt. 317, Illustration from Industrial Worker Magazine, 1911: Pyramid of the capitalist system http://drew317.tumblr.com/ Daens. 1992. Belgium/France/Netherlands: Universal Pictures. [Video Recording] Elster, J. 1986. An introduction to Karl Marx. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Modern Times. 1936. USA: United Artists. [Video Recording] Taylor, F.W. 1911. The Principles of scientific management. New York: Harper & Brothers.